A Decades-Long Cinematic Observation
Wim Wenders premieres his latest documentary, "From Inside Out," at the Venice Film Festival this Sunday. The 3D film highlights the work of Pritzker Prize-winning architect Peter Zumthor, focusing heavily on his design for the David Geffen Galleries at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The project represents a 14-year collaboration between the filmmaker and the architect.
Wenders first became interested in Zumthor after seeing his entry for a gallery competition in Berlin. That building was never constructed, yet it left a mark on Wenders. He eventually approached the architect for a short film, "Notes From a Day in the Life of an Architect," during the 13th Architecture Biennale. That brief project evolved into a desire to capture a more expansive view of Zumthor's practice over the long term.
The Radical Process of Architecture
Zumthor works differently than many of his peers. He rejects the idea that a building is complete once the blueprints earn approval. Instead, he views the construction process itself as the primary phase of creation. Wenders shares this view, which explains why the pair spent over a decade filming in Switzerland and various international locations. The architect granted Wenders full access to his archives and remained available for questioning throughout the entire production timeline.
3D technology serves as the visual vehicle for the film. Wenders insists that no other medium suits the physical nature of architecture quite as well. The film avoids a traditional narrator, opting instead to show the buildings through the eyes of people who inhabit or visit them. This cast includes artists and performers such as Aoi Yamada, who previously worked with Wenders on "Perfect Days," along with Werner Herzog, Ava DuVernay, and Sophie Hunger.
Production Milestones and Industry Support
The construction of the new LACMA campus became a central anchor for the documentary. What began as an abstract project eventually turned into a physical reality, forcing the film to adapt its scope to cover the milestone. This shift allowed Wenders to capture the challenges and slow development inherent in such a massive institutional project.
Brad Pitt joined the production as an executive producer during this phase. Wenders notes that Pitt served as an ardent defender of Zumthor’s design during public debates before the City Council. The actor's involvement provided the necessary support to move the production forward during a time when the building's future faced significant public scrutiny.
Beyond the specific design of the Los Angeles galleries, the documentary forces the audience to rethink the purpose of architecture. It is not about filling space with objects, but about creating environments that serve human needs. The release of "From Inside Out" confirms Wenders’ interest in the intersection of physical space and the people who occupy it. As the film hits the festival circuit, it serves as a record of a rare, slow-burn creative partnership that stands in contrast to the rapid pace of modern film and construction cycles.